Karhu Sneaker at Asphaltgold
True to Form. The sneakers of the Finnish brand Karhu combine maximum comfort with unique designs. The result are fresh kicks that convince with a high-quality material mix and nice colorways. In Asphaltgold's online store you'll find the Finest Selection of the iconic sports shoes with the iconic "M" on the side.
Casual sneakers from Finland: The history of Karhu running shoes
Karhu is a small label from Finland that might still be relatively unknown to many sneakerheads. Yet the brand, which is called "bear" in German, has been mixing up the sports world since 1916. In the past, the company produced mainly sporting goods such as discuses or javelins under the name "Ab Sportartiklar Oy", which were used by Finnish professional athletes in international competitions.
During the Second World War, the company's products also included tents, skis, shoes and uniforms for the Finnish army. But how did the popular sneakers come about?
In the coming years, Karhu shifted its focus to the production of running shoes and had great success with it - even at the Olympic Games numerous athletes wore the running shoes from Finland. With the reorientation also came the name change: "Ab Sportartiklar Oy" became "Karhu" - a catchy name that also fits the brand's strong products.
In the 1950s, the Finnish brand was one of the most important sporting goods manufacturers in the world. What few people know: Until the 1952 Olympics, Kahu men's sneakers were adorned with three stripes - a trademark everyone associates with another international brand. No joke: Karhu sold the logo to adidas - for the equivalent of 1600 euros and two bottles of whiskey, as legend has it. Whether it was worth it or not remains to be seen. The fact is: Today, the savvy sneakerhead recognizes Karhu running shoes by the "M" on the side. It comes from the word "Mestari" and translates to "master."